Traveler’s Guide WILDLIFE WATCHINGTraveler’s IN PERU Guide WILDLIFE WATCHING IN PERU CONTENTS CONTENTS PERU, THE NATURAL DESTINATION BIRDS Northern Region Lambayeque, Piura and Tumbes Amazonas and Cajamarca Cordillera Blanca Mountain Range Central Region Lima and surrounding areas Paracas Huánuco and Junín Southern Region Nazca and Abancay Cusco and Machu Picchu Puerto Maldonado and Madre de Dios Arequipa and the Colca Valley Puno and Lake Titicaca PRIMATES Small primates Tamarin Marmosets Night monkeys Dusky titi monkeys Common squirrel monkeys Medium-sized primates Capuchin monkeys Saki monkeys Large primates Howler monkeys Woolly monkeys Spider monkeys MARINE MAMMALS Main species BUTTERFLIES Areas of interest WILD FLOWERS The forests of Tumbes The dry forest The Andes The Hills The cloud forests The tropical jungle www.peru.org.pe [email protected] 1 Traveler’s Guide WILDLIFE WATCHINGTraveler’s IN PERU Guide WILDLIFE WATCHING IN PERU ORCHIDS Tumbes and Piura Amazonas and San Martín Huánuco and Tingo María Cordillera Blanca Chanchamayo Valley Machu Picchu Manu and Tambopata RECOMMENDATIONS LOCATION AND CLIMATE www.peru.org.pe [email protected] 2 Traveler’s Guide WILDLIFE WATCHINGTraveler’s IN PERU Guide WILDLIFE WATCHING IN PERU Peru, The Natural Destination Peru is, undoubtedly, one of the world’s top desti- For Peru, nature-tourism and eco-tourism repre- nations for nature-lovers. Blessed with the richest sent an opportunity to share its many surprises ocean in the world, largely unexplored Amazon for- and charm with the rest of the world. This guide ests and the highest tropical mountain range on provides descriptions of the main groups of species Pthe planet, the possibilities for the development of the country offers nature-lovers; trip recommen- bio-diversity in its territory are virtually unlim- dations; information on destinations; services and ited. With a little over 10% of all species of plants institutions dedicated to related issues of interest. and animals on earth and a surprisingly diverse range of climates and ecosystems, Peru has be- The species in this guide are listed according to come a modern Noah’s Ark for nature-lovers, who main areas of observation. The listings do not fol- along with students from all over the world, visit low any strict scientific consideration, rather, the Peru to chalk up more experience, gain new knowl- contents are listed in a user-friendly format. The edge and to get to know unique varieties. objective is to provide the reader with an opportu- nity to observe some of the endemic and/or most A few hours drive is all it takes to get from the representative specimens of the species in each larger cities to virtually unspoiled areas that are zone. Although Peru also possesses an important interconnected with one another. The farming and number of other species such as reptiles, arthropods native communities in these areas hold a vast store and amphibians, these have been excluded from of knowledge on the wildlife that fills their sur- this guide following the criteria established above. roundings. Experienced companies that are ac- quainted with the land will provide efficient, world- class services. Lachay Hillocks, Lima 000PromPerú www.peru.org.pe [email protected] 3 Traveler’s Guide WILDLIFE WATCHINGTraveler’s IN PERU Guide WILDLIFE WATCHING IN PERU Birds The late Theodore Parker III, famous American The birds of Chiclayo-Olmos-Porculla field ornithologist once said “Peru offers ‘bird-en- (27 – 2.150 masl) thusiasts’ more than any other country in the Tworld… Being here is like being a child visiting a From an ornithological point of view, the true point huge store filled with new and fascinating toys”. of interest starts at the Olmos detour leading to- He was right. ward Jaén and Bagua, climbing toward the Porculla mountain corridor (2.000 masl) –the low- Peru possesses an extraordinary ornithological di- est mountain pass in the Peruvian Andes. The area versity. New species are continually being discov- around Olmos is also the habitat of the White- ered every year in its cloud-forests and Amazon winged Guan, a species rediscovered in Peru only jungles, as well as in its rugged mountains and 20 years ago, which was brought back from the inter-Andean valleys. At last count, there were brink of imminent extinction. The different eco- 1.710 registered species (close to 20% of the world’s systems are laid out in succession along the as- total), of which more than 300 are endemic. Fur- cending paved highway: dry tropical forests, shrub thermore, Peru holds the record for the most spe- areas, higher altitude forests, and finally the arid cies in a single place (650 in the area surrounding Marañón Valley, close to Bagua, which is studded the Explorer’s Inn lodge, located in the jungles of with cacti. Tambopata) and the record for the highest num- ber of species seen in a single day (361 in the area Black-cowled Saltator (Saltator nigriceps) surrounding the Biological Station of Cocha Cashu, Chapman’s Antshrike (Thamnophilus zarumae) in Manu). Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner (Hylocryptus erythrocephalus) For birdwatchers, Peru is a true paradise. It is Long-tailed Mockingbird (Mimus longicaudatus) filled with species dwelling in unique and fragile Pearl Kite (Gampsonyx swainsonii) habitats, large migratory birds arriving from the Peruvian Plant-cutter (Phytotoma raimondii) most remote parts of the world and with species Savannah Hawk (Heterospizias meridionalis) that, having disappeared in other countries, flour- Tropical Gnatcatcher (Polioptila plumbea) ish in unexplored corners of the country. These White-winged Guan (Penelope albipennis) giant flocks are a fundamental element in the life cycles of the sea, jungle and Andean lakes. The birds of Canchaque-Huancabamba (1.800 – 3.000 masl) Northern Region The city of Piura, located three hours north of Lambayeque, Piura and Tumbes Chiclayo, is situated on the northern border of the large Sechura desert. It is one of the most impor- Chiclayo is a noisy, bustling city located 763 km tant cities on the North coast and has all the ser- north of Lima. The city marches to the daily rhythm vices required by tourists, as well as excellent set by two compelling forces: the desert heat (the beaches and public bathing spots. It can be reached siesta or afternoon nap is an unbreakable law) and by the North Pan-American highway (980 km from the intense commercial activity with the commu- Lima) or by air. Birdwatchers should, however, nities to the east. Bird-watchers should take the head for the mountains to find the most interest- highway that leads to the nearby city of ing species in the region. Lambayeque (12 km north) and from there head towards Olmos on the old North Pan-American The recommended route is up the rough-grade road highway. This route cuts through an extensive leading to Huancabamba (210 km east of Piura, a section dotted with carob trees (Prosopis pallida) five-hour trip). Along the winding road, travelers and marmalade trees (Capparis longifolia), and will see the desert vegetation give way to a spec- includes communities of major archaeological im- tacular high-altitude forest that is thickest in the portance such as Jayanca and Mocupe. area around the Cruz Blanca mountain pass (3.000 www.peru.org.pe [email protected] 4 Traveler’s Guide WILDLIFE WATCHINGTraveler’s IN PERU Guide WILDLIFE WATCHING IN PERU masl), where queñual forests (Polylepis sp.) can Scarlet-backed Woodpecker (Veniliornis callonotus) be found, and in the valley next to the community Short-tailed Woodstart (Myrmia micrura) of Canchaque (1.800 masl). The area around Superciliated Wren (Thryothorus superciliaris) Huancabamba has been turned into agricultural Tumbes Tyrant (Tumbezia salvini)• land, but a good part of the forest still survives. White-edged Oriole (Icterus graceannae) Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia) Azure Jay (Cyanocorax mystacalis) Yellow-tailed Oriole (Icterus mesomelas) Bearded Guan (Penelope barbata) Crested Caracara (Polyborus plancus) Amazonas and Cajamarca Golden-headed Quetzal (Pharomachrus auriceps) Gray-headed Antbird (Myrmeciza griseiceps) The ecosystems of the department of Amazonas in Line-cheeked Spinetail (Cranioleuca antisiensis) the extreme northeastern section of the country Purple-throated Sunangel (Heliangelus viola) are marked by three great rivers that traverse it Rainbow Starfrontlet (Coeligena iris) from north to south: the Santiago River, draining Three-banded Warbler (Basileuterus trifasciatus) the cloud forests of the Cordillera del Cóndor (Con- Unicolored Tapaculo (Scytalopus unicolor) dor Mountain Range), the Marañón River, filling an extensive and arid valley in contrast to the tropi- The birds of Tumbes cal environment of the region, and the Utcubamba, (0 – 900 masl) winding through lush cloud forests. The combina- tion of these environments that differ in climate, Although Tumbes is the smallest of Peru’s depart- species and topography has created conditions for ments, it is, paradoxically, one of the richest in unique birdlife, which teems with endemic spe- natural diversity. This region fascinates natural- cies or species with a restricted habitat. Access to ists and of course birdwatchers. Its tropical beaches Chachapoyas, the capital of Amazonas is via a high- give way to dry forests, mangroves and rainforest. way (Chiclayo to Cajamarca), although penetra- tion into its more pristine areas must be done by The species that inhabit the ravines and thick river. Although few realize this, the department of underbrush in the areas close to the small port of Cajamarca, on the western side of the Marañón Puerto Pizarro are considered to be among the most River, holds a great and natural geographic diver- interesting ones because of their rarity. The birds sity. Punas, mountains, inter-Andean valleys, found in the Tumbes Reserved Zone at 500-900 cloud jungles and tropical forests can be found along masl, are also worthy of interest.